Wetland of Local Importance in Sivas Province (Turkey): Kaz Lake

Wetlands are very complex natural systems that serve the local people and the country, and they have important values ​​that cannot be compared with any other ecosystem on earth. This study is about Kaz Lake, which is located in the Central Anatolia Region and is one of the 22 locally important wetlands of Turkey. Kaz Lake is a typical shallow lake and is the only wetland of local importance within the borders of Sivas province. Kaz Lake and its surrounding wetland of 315 hectares were registered as locally important wetlands in 2019. The protected area national classification code of Kaz Lake is 06.02.03.0012. Kaz Lake is a wetland ecosystem that meets the criteria of “Wetland of Local Importance” with its features such as the animal and plant species it hosts in and around, the diversity in their habitats, and the fact that it provides feeding, accommodation and breeding opportunities to very crowded bird groups due to its location on migration routes. Kaz Lake Wetland should be protected above all for the wildlife whose life depends on the habitat here. Management plan studies for Kaz Lake Wetland are still in progress. For this reason, the locally important Kaz Lake Wetland in Sivas province should be managed intelligently and its sustainable use should be ensured. Kaz Lake Wetland should be protected and managed in such a way as to protect its landscape integrity, natural and historical values, the wild animals and plant species it contains, and to ensure that local people benefit.